形上學討論事物在何種意義上存在、各種存在的事物又有哪些根本特性。本課程是形上學的導論。修課同學應注意：目前對於課程的規劃仍有可能變動，因此同學務必出席第一堂課；具體課程內容與評分方式將以第一堂課上的說明為準。按照目前規劃，我們將討論形上學的方法論，並檢視存在於抽象世界、物質世界、生物世界、社會世界這些實在域中的事物各自有何獨特之處。此外，我們也將討論心智、時間、模態等現象與這些實在域的關聯。舉例來說，我們可以問：事物有可能不具有空間位置嗎？人造物的存在方式是否與物質的存在方式同樣根本？時間在什麼意義上會流逝？我們將思考如何透過哲學來嘗試回答這類議題。

Metaphysics discusses in what sense things exist and what are the fundamental characteristics of various existing things. This course is an introduction to metaphysics. Students taking the course should note that the current course plan is still subject to change, so students must attend the first class; the specific course content and scoring method will be subject to the instructions in the first class. According to the current plan, we will discuss the methodology of metaphysics and examine the unique features of things existing in the abstract world, the material world, the biological world, and the social world. In addition, we will also discuss how phenomena such as mind, time, and modality are related to these domains of reality. For example, we can ask: Is it possible for things not to have a spatial location? Is the way in which artefacts exist is as fundamental as the way in which matter exists? In what sense does time pass? We will consider how philosophy can attempt to answer such questions.

在中西思想發展中，對於宇宙人生普遍原理的整體思辨，以及對於終極真際(ultimate reality)的理性關懷，不僅指示了哲學之為形上學的追求，也標誌了人類心智與精神活動的重大成就。什麼是構成宇宙自然的基本原理？什麼是支配宇宙自然的普遍法則？這原理與法則和人有什麼關係？人在宇宙之中，居於何等地位？什麼是宇宙人生的究極真相？在變遷不已的表面現象背後，是否有永恆不變的原理？對於這些形上學的問題，哲學家們曾提出各種解答。本課程主要將介紹(一)形上學的概念與意義；(二)研究範圍與主要課題；（三）當代形上學主要議題。

In the development of Chinese and Western thought, the overall speculation on the universal principles of the universe and life, and the rational concern for ultimate reality, not only indicate the metaphysical pursuit of philosophy, but also mark the major achievements of human mental and spiritual activities. What are the basic principles that constitute the nature of the universe? What are the universal laws that govern the nature of the universe? What is the relationship between this principle, law, and people? What is the position of man in the universe? What is the ultimate truth of life in the universe? Behind the ever-changing surface phenomena, are there eternal principles? Philosophers have proposed various answers to these metaphysical questions. This course will mainly introduce (1) the concept and meaning of metaphysics; (2) the scope and main topics of research; (3) the main issues of contemporary metaphysics.

Ney, Alyssa. 2023. Metaphysics: An Introduction. Second Edition. New York: Routledge.

Ney, Alyssa. 2023. Metaphysics: An Introduction. Second Edition. New York: Routledge.